The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

While most of the country is winding down for the summer holidays, airports and airlines across New Zealand are gearing up for the busiest weeks of the year. Air NZ expects almost 3 million passengers domestically and internationally from now until the end of January. Bloggeratlarge.com writer Megan Singleton says it's important to plan ahead and keep a cool head if something goes wrong ahead of a big trip. Read more about Megan's travel tips here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, Director at 818 Chris Henry and partner and Freebairn and Hehir Lawyers Liam Hehir joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Herald's Claire Trevett has unveiled her top pick for 2024's politician of the year. Who would we choose? Who do we think has done the most for the country? Police presence at large events - one Auckland MP has voiced concern about the amount of time police are spending at large-scale events and wants officers to be paid to attend. What do we make of this? Prime Minister Chris Luxon has revealed he's only taking 10 days off work these holidays - are we taking more or less time? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The year is winding down - leaving many of us to wonder why we feel more exhausted than ever. The holiday season brings more stress, but one expert suggests there's more factors at play. Naturopath and wellness expert explains why we can feel more exhausted - and offers up some self-care tips to boost energy. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For 1 in 6 children with mental health challenges, being too scared to fall asleep knowing that terrifying nightmares await is a daily reality. Research published in the journal Frontiers in Sleep this week offers new hope with a new therapy showing a reduction in the frequency and distress caused by nightmares, which helped the children to sleep more peacefully through the night. Children who suffer from nightmares often dread going to sleep and sleep poorly which can make them tired and irritable during the day and lead to behavioural problems. 1. First each child received a box containing “boggle goggles” that simulate the effects of sleep deprivation and fabric pens to decorate pillowcases with happy thoughts they want to dream about. 2 .Cognitive behavioural therapy was combined with relaxation strategies, mindfulness, stress management, and visualisation to help children reshape their dream patterns. 3. The children were taught that they have the power to control their dreams and asked to create plans for 'changing the channel' if a nightmare occurs, helping them return to sleep calmly. The trial involved 46 children aged 6 to 17, all of whom had experienced persistent nightmares for at least six months. The results found: Significant reductions in nightmares and their associated distress. Improved ability to sleep through the night. A decrease in suicidal thoughts tied to nightmares, a crucial finding given the known link between nightmares and youth suicidality. While five children in each group reported suicidal thoughts at the start of the trial, only one child in the therapy group reported these thoughts at the end, compared to four in the control group. The study’s success was the first time a randomised clinical trial was used to test a nightmare therapy for children rather than adults and marks an exciting leap in children’s mental health care. By addressing nightmares directly, this therapy opens up new possibilities for improving the lives of children and their families. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.